About the Role
The RSPCA is recruiting a Wildlife Assistant for a fixed-term 4-month contract at Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich, Cheshire. You'll be at the heart of a vital wildlife rehabilitation service, working 35 hours per week in a hands-on, rewarding environment.
Stapeley Grange is one of England's four dedicated RSPCA wildlife centres, admitting over 6,000 animal casualties annually from across the South, Midlands, North Wales, and Lincolnshire. The animals under your care range from delicate nestling birds, bats, hedgehogs, and wood mice to larger species including waterfowl, seabirds, foxes, badgers, and seal pups.
Key Responsibilities
- Maintain rigorous cleanliness and hygiene standards across all animal facilities and enclosures
- Provide hands-on care and rehabilitation support for diverse wildlife species under veterinary and senior staff guidance
- Assist with animal assessment, basic first aid, and welfare checks
- Maintain accurate digital records relating to patient care and centre operations
- Collaborate with Stapeley Grange departments and external partner organisations to ensure optimal animal welfare outcomes
- Work safely with protected and potentially high-risk wildlife species
Requirements
- Proven experience in wild animal handling, assessment, and first aid
- Emotional resilience—you'll work with distressed and injured wildlife requiring compassionate care
- Exceptional organisational skills and ability to work both independently and as part of the team
- Proficiency in maintaining accurate digital records
- Full manual UK driving licence
- Willingness to obtain rabies vaccination (support provided)—essential for working safely with bats at the centre
- Legal right to work in the UK (visa sponsorship is not available)
- Eligible for Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
Benefits
- Competitive salary of £23,132.20 (pro rata) plus 4% shift allowance
- 35-hour working week
- 25 days annual holiday
- Pension scheme
- Healthcare cash plan
- Life assurance
- Occupational sick pay
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Family-friendly policies
- Dog-friendly workplace policies
- Cycle to work scheme
- Staff discount schemes
- Professional development opportunities
About the Practice
Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre is one of the RSPCA's four specialist wildlife rehabilitation facilities in England. The centre provides critical care to sick, injured, orphaned, and confiscated wild animals across a wide geographic catchment, admitting thousands of casualties annually and supporting the rehabilitation of higher-risk species.
The RSPCA is England and Wales's largest animal charity, dedicated to preventing animal cruelty, promoting animal welfare, and rehabilitating wildlife across diverse settings. Working at Stapeley Grange places you at the frontline of wildlife conservation, part of a mission-driven organisation committed to creating a world where all animals are respected and treated with kindness.
